Reprieve for Wirral libraries after Government orders inquiry into closures

Apr 8 2009 by Liam Murphy, Wallasey News

CONTROVERSIAL plans to axe 11 of Wirral’s 24 libraries are in doubt after the Government ordered an inquiry into the proposals.

But yesterday Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, who ordered the first such inquiry for 18 years, said it “needs to happen quickly and needs to be a fair process” but added that he can “make no promises to the people of Wirral” on its timing.

Last Friday library staff at Wallasey Village branch library – due to be one of the first four to close – were told they would be staying open until after the inquiry is completed.

Higher Bebington, New Ferry, and Ridgeway had also been given an official notice of closure by the council, which would have been effective from April 4.

Irby, Prenton and Seacombe Libraries had been due to close next month, with Beechwood, Woodchurch, Hoylake and Eastham Libraries were due to shut in July.

Council leader Steve Foulkes said libraries would remain open in order not to pre-empt the inquiry, but he added that he was confident the council’s plans, which are part of a wider Strategic Asset Review, would be endorsed.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham had intervened at almost the last possible minute, calling the local inquiry “to test whether the council's plans are consistent with their statutory duty to provide all residents with a comprehensive public library service”.

It follows the minister’s request to Wirral Council to work with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) on the proposed restructuring of library services. Following their work the MLA wrote to the Secretary of State to express concerns about the closures.

If the proposed changes to the library service are found to fall short of duties to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ public library service, the inquiry will also include practical steps to be taken by Wirral to put things right.

The person appointed to carry out the inquiry will be announced shortly.

During a visit to Merseyside on Monday Mr Burnham said: "Libraries need to be allowed to modernise, but the challenge is to maintain a comprehensive service.”